Instructor: Percy Jordan, Ph.D.

Email: jordanpj@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6335

Office Location and Hours: Health and Science Building; Room 129. M 9 am- 9:50 am; M 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm; T 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm; W 9 am - 11:50 pm

Additional Contact Information: Correctional Education students will be able to speak with the instructor when class meets or may send a correspondence.

This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity, and physiology.

OpenStax Free online textbook: Biology 2e

Optional: ISBN-13: 978-1-50669-985-1

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

None.

None.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation.

2. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.

3. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.

4. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.

5. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages. 6. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.

• Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
• Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Unit 4: Evolution

Chapter 19 - Population Genetics

Chapter 18 - Natural Selection and Evolution

Chapter 20 - Phylogeny and History of Life

Unit 5: BioDiversity

Chapter 21/22 - Viruses and Prokaryotes

Chapter 23/24 - Protists and Fungi

Chapter 25/26 - Plant Diversity

Chapter 27/28/29 - Animal Diversity

Unit 7: Animal Physiology

Chapter 39/40 - Respiration and Circulation

Chapter 33/38 - Movement and Structure

Chapter 34/41 - Digestion and Excretion

Chapter 35/36 - Nervous System and Senses

Unit 4 Test  October 12, 2026

Unit 5 Test : November 9, 2026

Unit 7 Test : November 30, 2026

Lecture Project: November 21, 2026

November 30, 2026 - 5:00 PM  Through  November 30, 2026 - 8:00 PM

90 - 100=A 

80 - 89=B

70 - 79=C 

60 - 69=D

Below 59 = F

100% Exams

• Respect yourself and your classmates.
• Any take home assignments are due the following class period. 
• No late assignments are accepted. 
• There are no make up exams without prior notification of absence. 
• Students should not leave class without permission.

Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. A student with three or more absence may be dropped from the class.

• Please follow all location rules. 
• Late assignments are not accepted
• No make-up exams without proper notification and/or written excuse

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.